Karnataka crisis looms amid Guv’s nod to prosecute Siddaramaiah

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Karnataka Governor gives nod to prosecute Siddaramaiah in MUDA scam

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, August 17: The Karnataka Governor, Thawarchand Gehlot, has given his nod for the prosecution of the incumbent Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, in the MUDA scam.

Prabhushankar, a special secretary to the Governor, said: “The approval for prosecution has been given by the competent authority (Governor) under section 17 of the Prevention of the Corruption Act, 1988, and the section 218 of the Nagarika Suraksha Samhita, 2023, for the commission of the alleged offences mentioned in the petitions.”

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The official sent communications to social activists T.J. Abraham, Snehmayi Krishna and Pradeep Kumar. They had filed petitions for action against the incumbent chief minister in the alleged case of land allotment of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

The approval by the Karnataka Governor has come amid a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and the Opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular). The Karnataka government had earlier asked the office of the Governor to withdraw a notice issued against the chief minister.

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Notably, the MUDA scam was also mentioned by Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman in parliament, while replying on the debate on the Union Budget. Sitharaman, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, had claimed that Siddaramaiah had usurped land meant for the weaker sections of the society.

The approval for prosecution potentially increases chances if political instability in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah may have to resign per convention.

In the event Siddaramaiah resigns, the battle to choose his successor could be bitter within the Congress. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar may fancy his chances of succeeding Siddaramaiah.

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But the Karnataka Industry Minister MB Patil may force a contest on the choice of successor within the Congress. Shivakumar and Patil hail from the political formidable Vokkaliga caste group in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah hails from Kuruba caste group. The incumbent chief minister is the OBC face of the Congress in Karnataka.

Yet, Siddaramaiah may also dig in his heels, claiming political vendetta. He can cite the example of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The Supreme Court has refused to intervene in the matter involving the continuation of Kejriwal in the office of the chief minister. Besides, Siddaramaiah can also cite the example of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who assumed office after getting bail in the office for profit issue.

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At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may not miss out from the opportunity to fish in the troubled waters. The ‘Operation Kamala’ has been attributed to the fall the Congress-led government in 2018. The BJP was accused of engineering a mass defection in the ranks of the Congress to topple then Siddaramaiah government.

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